Stunned Muller

Written By: - Date published: 8:01 am, June 3rd, 2020 - 85 comments
Categories: Donald Trump, human rights, national, todd muller, uncategorized - Tags:

Yesterday was not a great day for Todd Muller.

I do not know who his media advisers are but the first question he should have prepared for was what the most predictable question ever in the history of politics.

And it came. He was asked “[d]o you think Donald Trump is a racist”?

This was his answer.

https://twitter.com/DawgBelly/status/1267717954608627712

It is up to Donald Trump?  The current POTUS who has shown how unbelievably appalling he is as a leader in so many ways, the latest being the way he has totally botched a pandemic and the way he has let the response to the George Floyd murder spiral totally out of control?

Every day there is something more insane.  Yesterday it was the gassing of protestors to clear an area near the White House so that Trump could have a photo op with a bible.

https://twitter.com/FrEdwardBeck/status/1267597279638118401

And the calling in of the National Guard. And the leaked tape of a call with Governors where he attacked them for being weak for not calling in military while he hid in a bunker. And the attempted branding of Antifa as a terrorist organisation.

I mean shouldn’t he start with the Klu Klux Klan first if he wanted to make a statement about Black Lives actually mattering?

And people who classify themselves as being Antifa have engaged in low level violence.  Like punching Richard Spencer.

The pacifist in nme is struggling to be upset by this.

But Antifa is no more an organisation than people believing that Black lives matter is. If you are distressed by fascism then you are Antifa. I know that I am.

Getting back to Todd Muller this is how he should have answered.

https://twitter.com/i/events/1267877170296184834

Fancy being that weak that he would run away from a question about if Trump was a racist.

I suspect for the brains trust the end of the election cannot come quickly enough.  Then they can put an end to Todd Muller’s reign and install Chris Luxon.

85 comments on “Stunned Muller ”

  • Comments are now closed

  1. Psycho Milt 1
    3 June 2020 at 8:09 am

    If you are distressed by fascism then you are Antifa.

    Not so! If you're opposed to fascism, you're an anti-fascist. If you're a violent narcissist who loves smashing other people's stuff and thinks anyone less left than you is a fascist, you're Antifa. There's actually a big difference, don't let people lump you in with those fucks.

    • Phil 1.1
      3 June 2020 at 9:48 am

      If you're a violent narcissist who loves smashing other people's stuff and thinks anyone less left than you is a fascist, you're Antifa.

      This sentence couldn't be more Fox News Playbook if you tried.

      • Psycho Milt 1.1.1
        3 June 2020 at 10:19 am

        Meh. I first encountered the creeps in Germany in the mid-90s, and they struck me as being just as dangerous as the neo-Nazis. Nothing since then has given me reason to change my mind. And I had one trying to tell me on Twitter the other day that Bernie Sanders and Jeremy Corbyn are Nazis. In this particular instance, Fox isn't that far off the mark.

        • swordfish 1.1.1.1
          3 June 2020 at 10:53 am

          Don't let the fashionably radical ex-Boarding School Woke in their Che Guevara Rik Mayall urban guerilla berets hear you say that. Like Scientologists, the Intersectional Cult doesn't much care for critics & heretics.

          You'll rapidly find your character assassinated with wild abandon … & possibly more than a touch of emotional incontinence. Usual modus operandi involves 2 or 3 Cult members turning up on social media to perform a kind of cancel-culture pincer movement against the chosen victim-apostate, ruthlessly (often hilariously) attacking from all sides.

          Your critique will certainly leave them shaken down at the Varsity Anarchist Society.

          • mac1 1.1.1.1.1
            3 June 2020 at 11:06 am

            You're saying we must be deferens to the VAS?

            I remember back in the Sixties listening to some beret-wearing member of the far-left group of the time, so memorable I can’t remember its name, whose idea of destroying the establishment was to go down and graffiti the local police station in Wellington.

            He’s probably a retired banker by now.

            The occasion in Wellington was the Peace Power and Politics in Asia conference in 1968. Four years later the Kirk government withdrew our troops from Vietnam.

            • swordfish 1.1.1.1.1.1
              3 June 2020 at 11:26 am

              LOL. Occupying the Uni Refrectory, so what ??? This is the real thing ! … graffiting an actual Police Station ,,, we’re Desperados !!!

              Ahhh, the 60s … marched against the Vietnam War myself … well, rode against it as a nipper in nappies in a pushchair Nov 1965 (one of the earliest large-ish demonstrations in Wellington … by all accounts: as many trade unionists & trad Labour people (sprinkling of Trots & Marxist-Leninists too) … as there were young earnest duffel-coat-wearing Middle-Class proto-Hippie Boomers).

            • Grumpy 1.1.1.1.1.2
              3 June 2020 at 12:40 pm

              Try "Progressive Youth Movement"…..

              • mac1 …
                3 June 2020 at 12:54 pm

                Those were they.

                I was wearing the duffel coat, with faux bone toggles, draped negligently across the shoulders, cape style with scarf swept carelessly around the neck.

                Thus draped I was once hit with an egg, luckily raw, thrown by a counter-demonstrator. mac1. Middle (acting) Class proto-hippie Boomer.

                Move over, Muller.

          • lprent 1.1.1.1.2
            3 June 2020 at 12:58 pm

            They tend to annoy me about as much as rw and mindless trolls do, and for the same reasons. Piss-poor behaviour, good at being critics, couldn’t figure out something to do that actually might work, and generally rigid incoherent thinkers who crap their ideas straight from a manual rather than use their brains..

            • swordfish 1.1.1.1.2.1
              3 June 2020 at 9:52 pm

              They tend to annoy me about as much as rw and mindless trolls do, and for the same reasons.

              Spot on. Crude, child-like, low-resolution worldview combined with a highly deluded sense of moral superiority, a marked tendency toward performative narcissism & a deep vein of anti-democratic intolerance. Spoiled brats lacking self-awareness.

              I’m in a charitable mood today.

      • Cinny 1.1.2
        3 June 2020 at 1:26 pm

        If you're a violent narcissist who loves smashing other people's stuff and thinks anyone less left than you is a fascist, you're Antifa my tory ex husband.

        Fixed it 🙂 Lmao!

    • te reo putake 1.2
      3 June 2020 at 10:01 am

      Spot on, PM. There's some things fundamentally lacking in the antifa movement. For one, there's no coherent political position and secondly the devolved structure means that there isn't the internal discipline need to deliver actual change. Plus being 'anti' is no vote winner. You can't build a mass movement for positive change with a negative as a core message.

  2. Andre 2
    3 June 2020 at 8:17 am

    … gassing of protestors to clear an area …

    That's a massive understatement. Clergy were gassed to drive them from their church grounds so the fake-bronze false-prophet could have his photo-op.

    But to be fair to Muller, that particular outrage wasn't related to racism. It’s just more evidence of the Manchurian Rot-melon’s complete lack of any redeeming features (as if any more evidence were needed).

  3. patricia 3
    3 June 2020 at 9:03 am

    Muller imagined himself attaining Leadership, but he never imagined Donald Trump's behaviour, and to be fair most of us are shocked at how the President is behaving and how this is all turning out.

    No Leader will call out another Leader directly. Todd Muller could have said "This looks very bad" or something which agreed the case indirectly, but Todd is not an adroit thinker.

    Racism is rife in America, and their Police are chosen by locals with their beliefs reinforced by their choices.

    What we need to guard against is "othering".

    The danger of "them and us " in any form plays into fascism.

    Trump is desperate to win the election by any means. He uses weakness in their system and the fears of people.

    • Tricledrown 3.1
      3 June 2020 at 8:42 pm

      Lame Muler limping into clown mode minister of silly talks,his finger puppets can't even mime the words properly.

      Judith Collins has backed what she thought was a thoroughbred but turned to be an ass.

  4. bernard 4
    3 June 2020 at 9:04 am

    Todd Muller-the way he stands and speaks loudly and waves his arms ridgidly in front of him reminds me a bit of a little man from the 1940`s with a moustache,all thats missing is clenched fists.(and a moustache)

    • Incognito 4.1
      3 June 2020 at 9:19 am

      You appear to be a new user on this site and I’ve approved your comment. However, I find your comment unhelpful and flawed as it attacks Muller’s appearance, not his message, and makes a dubious and irrelevant comparison to a historical figure with a very bad reputation.

      Please familiarise yourself with this site’s Policy: https://thestandard.org.nz/policy/

    • That_guy 4.2
      3 June 2020 at 9:25 am

      So yeah this is a stupid and pointless comment that attacks the physical appearance of another human being and immediately goes full Nazi. Please do better.

  5. That_guy 5
    3 June 2020 at 9:22 am

    Because he's afraid of losing the racist vote if he just comes out and says it, which he needs to nix Winston. It's a political calculation.

    He's a bit like Fox News. Not racist, but #1 with racists. Well, maybe #2.

  6. Paul 6
    3 June 2020 at 9:23 am

    The thing about the USA is that it has always focussed on freedom (as opposed to countries like NZ that focus on a 'fair go'). But its hard to see how any one can have freedom when large groups of people live in fear of racism, of school shootings, of mass shootings, of poverty, have no mandated paid leave provisions, a buggered health system etc etc etc. It's sad – very sad and certainly not freedom.

  7. Andre 7
    3 June 2020 at 9:26 am

    I can't believe I'm defending Muller here, but the reality is even vastly more capable and experienced leaders can struggle with what to say when asked about Donny Rotten's personal qualities.

    https://edition.cnn.com/2020/06/02/americas/canada-trudeau-silence-us-protests-intl/index.html

      • Andre 7.1.1
        3 June 2020 at 9:42 am

        Gotta wonder if daddy's words were also running through Justin's mind during those 20 seconds of meditation.

    • Sacha 7.2
      3 June 2020 at 11:29 am

      One is gathering his thoughts before a coherent and leaderly speech; the other is gaping like a goober then uttering one banal line.

      • Sacha 7.2.1
        3 June 2020 at 11:32 am

        Unfortunately tweets only auto-embed in comments, not the original post above:

        https://twitter.com/i/events/1267877170296184834

        • Sacha 7.2.1.1
          3 June 2020 at 11:40 am

          OK, apparently 'events' do not embed anywhere. Doh.

        • lprent 7.2.1.2
          3 June 2020 at 12:53 pm

          They should be able to auto-embed in posts?

          I’ll try it out when I get some time. First day back in the workplace so I’m kind of busy getting the damn hardware shifted over and reinstalled, upgrading the software on the gear I didn’t take home, and testing the firmware that was such a pain to look at in my small apartment (damn annoying to spend half an hour looking for a mini usb cable)

          • Sacha 7.2.1.2.1
            3 June 2020 at 8:00 pm

            Might be designed that way at their end. More important tweaks here I'd wager.

          • Macro 7.2.1.2.2
            3 June 2020 at 9:21 pm

            Lynn – WTFJHT is also experiencing the same problem with twitter links in comments as well not auto-embeding. As Sacha suggests – seems to be a problem with their updated system.

            • Sacha 7.2.1.2.2.1
              7 June 2020 at 8:35 am

              These are not regular tweets – and it's the only time any of us have tried to link to one so far. Unless that changes, Lynn has bigger fish to fry.

      • Chris 7.2.2
        3 June 2020 at 1:47 pm

        People on the street who've been asked a question about anything then had a microphone shoved in their face do better than Muller ever has. May it continue.

  8. tc 8
    3 June 2020 at 9:27 am

    Toddy should've seen that coming and been ready as any half decent CEO is ready for the curly ones.

    After all the cap does fit national so better sharpen up before Winnie and the likes of Tamaki erode that swinging vote that’s up for a dog whistle.

  9. mac1 9
    3 June 2020 at 10:04 am

    Is Trump a racist? All of humanity is in some way prejudiced. I see no one picking up a stone……..

    What is the purpose of the question? Is it to seek out whether Muller is racist? Is it to test his definition of racism? Is it to attack Trump? Is it to signal that the questioner is not racist?

    What can the Leader of the Opposition in New Zealand do to act on Trump's racism? Or, better, what can he/we do to act on the racism within New Zealand?

    • left_forward 9.1
      3 June 2020 at 10:25 am

      I agree with you mac1 – the appropriate response is to self reflect on what this question of racism means and examine the tendency to project one's own pain / guilt onto another, no matter how big, blatant and obvious someone else's canvas is, as in Trump.

      • mac1 9.1.1
        3 June 2020 at 10:46 am

        "one's own pain / guilt"……. that will take some teasing out.

        I saw a poster on FaceBook along the lines of, "I you ever wondered what you'd do during slavery, the Holocaust or the civil rights movement: then you're doing it now."

        • left_forward 9.1.1.1
          3 June 2020 at 11:16 am

          Re: pain / guilt – our shared experience is that we are encouraged by family and society to judge ourselves and each other – a never ending comparison, where we are relentlessly expected to assess our own worthiness against another. This causes us to project our own guilt for not being sufficiently worthy onto others in a futile attempt to relieve the pain of not living up to our own expectations. It is a neurosis we all share to different extents (not just Trump or white supremacists). Racism is its tribal form. In reality of course, we are all equally worthy, period.

          • mac1 9.1.1.1.1
            3 June 2020 at 11:39 am

            Thanks for the explanation.

            The problem with both Muller and I is our shared Catholic upbringing. "Domine, non sum dignus". The intrinsic belief that we are not worthy, poor sinners.

            The prayer concludes. “But only say the word and my soul shall be healed.”

            How does a society heal its soul? Holding up a bible outside a church cleared by troopers?

            • left_forward 9.1.1.1.1.1
              3 June 2020 at 12:49 pm

              "Domine, non sum dignus"

              Interesting how this phrase reveals its meaning from the latin roots of English words. Trump's command to the State Governors to 'dominate' in this context is to act as if he / they are God.

              Non sum meaning I am not, and dignus providing the root of the word for dignity or worthiness.

              Being made to feel unworthy is at the root of this anger – black lives are indeed worthy! All lives are worthy!

              Whether Catholic or not, we all judge ourselves as unworthy. The healing starts with each one of us – and requires us to start by loving ourselves as the amazing beings that we are.

              Then we will be ready to heed some of the words from Trump’s bible –

              “thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself”

              • mac1 …
                3 June 2020 at 1:02 pm

                Dominus was what a servus/slave called his master in Rome.

                Does this feeling unworthy also fuel the anger of the underclass poor white trash supremacist?

                Does it explain their champion, Trump, himself?

              • mac1 …
                3 June 2020 at 2:28 pm

                left_forward, I've asked a lot of questions, some rhetorical, and I thank you for your explanations and your compassionate understanding.

  10. Enough is Enough 10
    3 June 2020 at 10:09 am

    Diplomacy and honesty don't always work hand in hand. I think only the Green Party would have the courage to properly call Trump out.

    Correct me if I am wrong but I don't think any cabinet minister has called Trump out as racist.

    • observer 10.1
      3 June 2020 at 10:35 am

      I wouldn't expect any PM of NZ to call the President of the USA a racist … directly. There are diplomatic requirements for leaders that the rest of us don't have.

      But in the aftermath of the mosque attacks Ardern did slap Trump down at her press conference. What a leader avoids saying is a pretty strong signal too.

      As for Muller, again I wouldn't expect him to say "yes he is". But there are dozens of ways for politicians to respond to a question they don't like. He couldn't manage one, simply because he is hopeless at this job he wanted.

      • Gosman 10.1.1
        3 June 2020 at 1:56 pm

        Give me an example of a way in which he should have responded that would have been acceptable?

        • roy cartland 10.1.1.1
          3 June 2020 at 2:31 pm

          "Frankly it would be outside the bounds of recognised international diplomacy for me to say that: The president – of the United States – Donald Trump – is a racist".

          But what I will say…etc

          • observer 10.1.1.1.1
            3 June 2020 at 2:42 pm

            Oh yeah, Key loved that one.

            "Will he sack the Minister?"

            "What I can say is …" (ignores Q).

            Annoying, sure. But when a journo says jump, you don't jump – unless you want to.

        • woodart 10.1.1.2
          3 June 2020 at 3:31 pm

          do your own(party) work gosman. if you and toddler cant figure out how to think and walk at the same time, you need extra tuition after school.not a hard question to expect or neatly sidestep.

        • Tricledrown 10.1.1.3
          3 June 2020 at 8:47 pm

          Gosman you know how out of touch the last leader was

    • Chris T 10.2
      3 June 2020 at 11:58 am

      I haven't even seen Ardern asked the same question.

      The closest I have seen is did she think the dudes death was bad.

      "Yes"

      Well obviously.

      Our journalists can be a bit shit sometimes.

      • observer 10.2.1
        3 June 2020 at 1:15 pm

        You can see it here: 0.48, exactly the same question, same reporter.

        Ardern press conference, yesterday

        Like Muller, she did not answer directly (no sensible leader would). Unlike Muller, she did not appear fazed by it. Anticipating and avoiding the Qs you don't want are basic political skills, which the leader of the opposition will need to learn.

  11. mac1 11
    3 June 2020 at 10:35 am

    Todd Muller is not a stunned mullet, btw. Stunned mullets don't flap!

  12. observer 12
    3 June 2020 at 11:08 am

    It's clear from this morning's interviews that the media training has kicked in. Much less arm waving, and sorting out confusion on the time delay.

    He's now ready to be a new candidate standing somewhere down the party list.

    • Bearded Git 12.1
      3 June 2020 at 11:31 am

      Agreed Observer. I thought Muller sounded competent on Morning Report this morning.

      I noted that he could list 6 criteria out of his head (unless he was looking at a list which I doubt) so the election cannot be taken for granted.

      He has the farmers with him and will probably get most business people behind him by September. That, coupled with ACT, is a potentially winning combination.

      Let's all hope the Greens get 5% (which I think they will).

  13. patricia 13
    3 June 2020 at 12:02 pm

    How many business people remember their struggles in the GFC? 12 short years ago.

    How much actual help did they get then?

    How many Farmers actually believe they need to work on climate change?

    Both groups may vote for a more supportive Government, and the Key years are not forgotten.

  14. Adrian 14
    3 June 2020 at 12:23 pm

    If Hooten is involved with the Muller Team , and I use that word loosely, I would love to have a secret camera in there, The Thick Of It wouldn't have a patch on it, but shit it would be funny to watch.

  15. DS 15
    3 June 2020 at 12:55 pm

    I'm hardly a Nat, but honestly, this is Gotcha Questioning. No Prime Minister or Leader of the Opposition can call the President of the United States a racist – and in this particular case, saying Trump isn't racist would provoke a firestorm. All you can do is fob off the question – as Muller did.

    • observer 15.1
      3 June 2020 at 1:24 pm

      A "gotcha" question is unexpected. Asking about something that the journalist knows about, but the politician doesn't. ("Do you agree with your MP who has just said …?").

      The story dominating the world news is hardly a surprising thing to be asked about. So he didn't need to be thinking on his feet. He only needed to have prepared for the obvious. The opposite of a "gotcha".

      You're right to say he fobbed it off, and that was all he could be expected to do. How well he did it is a matter of opinion. Badly, I'd suggest.

      • Gosman 15.1.1
        3 June 2020 at 1:57 pm

        Again, what would have been the better response?

        • observer 15.1.1.1
          3 June 2020 at 2:39 pm

          You want me to spend my day teaching you or Muller "Politics for Beginners"?

          Dozens of options. Ardern had one (see 10.2.1 above). Pick and mix any combinations of the obvious –

          "not for me to comment on another elected leader … inappropriate … interfere in other countries' internal affairs … reject racism in all its forms … our responsibility is to the NZ public … blah blah … next question"

          Politicians know how not to answer. Clark: the glare. Key: the shrug.

          Stunned silence – not an option.

          • McFlock 15.1.1.1.1
            3 June 2020 at 3:36 pm

            I certainly wouldn't dare to know the true source of an individual's motives, and the outcome of poorly-chosen but well-meaning words can be as damaging as well-chosen words inspired by negative motives.

            Not talking about bunker-baby here, but Gosman 🙂

        • Grafton Gully 15.1.1.2
          3 June 2020 at 6:22 pm

          "I reject completely the divisive actions of any head of state that weaken our resolve to face and defeat the dangers that threaten us."

          • In Vino 15.1.1.2.1
            3 June 2020 at 8:27 pm

            Imagine if any reporter were stupid enough to ask Winston that question…

            Gosman, it is obvious that Muller hasn't even thought about the attitudes and skills needed. You asked a dumb question.

        • Tricledrown 15.1.1.3
          3 June 2020 at 8:51 pm

          Obviously National has jumped out of the frying pan into the fire and needs someone with a Brain.not some silo thinker from middle management.

    • Macro 15.2
      3 June 2020 at 9:31 pm

      No Prime Minister or Leader of the Opposition can call the President of the United States a racist

      But they can called the POTUS a "just a peanut farmer"..

      Prime Minister Helen Clark yesterday dismissed former United States Ambassador Carol Moseley Braun as a pecan farmer from Alabama.

      The terse remark was reminiscent of the sneering reference in 1977 by former Prime Minister Sir Robert Muldoon, who described US President Jimmy Carter as just a peanut farmer from Georgia.

      https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=227031

  16. observer 16
    3 June 2020 at 2:32 pm

    Answering reporters' questions is one thing. But preparing and asking your own questions is as simple as it gets. You're not going to be caught unawares, are you? But … still too hard for Todd.

    In Parliament just now he couldn't even follow the beginner's rule of phrasing his Qs properly. All over the place.

    Hopeless.

    • Chris T 16.1
      3 June 2020 at 2:52 pm

      Muller is starting to look a bit of a knob at question time.

      How many times can you ask the same fricken question before you just look lost ffs

      • observer 16.1.1
        3 June 2020 at 2:56 pm

        I suppose the one consolation for National is that Bridges often looked effective vs Ardern at Question Time (his prosecutor experience showed) but it did him no good in the long run. Not many people watch it really.

        Trouble is, Muller doesn't have a long run.

    • Chris T 16.2
      3 June 2020 at 2:54 pm

      Having said that. Ardern could do with losing the slogans

  17. Peter 17
    3 June 2020 at 2:51 pm

    Trudeau paused for 21 seconds before answering the question. Seems quite a long time when you watch and wait doesn't it?

    Something to reflect on:

    If Trudeau had continued for 505 more seconds he would have used up the time the knee was on George Floyd's neck.

    • Incognito 17.1
      3 June 2020 at 3:20 pm

      If only Derek Chauvin had engaged his brain for 21 seconds, George Floyd might possibly have been still alive.

      • Tricledrown 17.1.1
        3 June 2020 at 8:57 pm

        If George Floyd was white he would still be alive.

        After the recent slaughtering of an innocent jogger and the initial failing to prosecute the vigilante murder.

        The Covid 19 statistics for the US for African Americans Casual low paid jobs poor access the healthcare housing education etc then Add Trump.

        The US is in major trouble

  18. mary_a 18
    3 June 2020 at 4:15 pm

    A good question to ask Todd Muller, a good Catholic guided by and influenced by his strong faith he says, is this … what's his opinion on Trump and Mrs T standing humbly in front of a Catholic church, paying homage at a statue of former Pope, now Saint John Paul? Particularly relevent, after the actions of yesterday, police using violence moving peaceful protesters, to make room for Trump to walk to a nearby Episcopalian church, for him to brandish a bible for cheap publicity! As a leader of a major political party, I'm sure the electorate would be interested in Muller's response to these recent events!

    As Trump seems to be doing the rounds of the churches at present, I take it this action will also include Mosques, Synagogues, Temples etc?

  19. SPC 19
    3 June 2020 at 5:00 pm

    Trump and history

    1. Thought the pandemic would be over by summer

    His own grandfather died on 30 May 1918 of the flu

    2. His belief in use of force to crush protest and the criminalisation of those arrested (10 year sentences)

    His father was arrested wearing a KKK robe in 1927 at a protest they organised in New York, the only one of 7 arrested (for not obeying police orders) not later charged.

    3. The claim of his father (from the 40's) and later also the Donald until the late 80"s that they had Swedish ancestry.

    When this lie was exposed, the Donald claimed his father was German (his father was born in the Bronx to German parents).

  20. Corey Humm 20
    3 June 2020 at 5:28 pm

    I hate to defend Todd but so what if he didn’t condemn Trump or call him a racist the pm last night said it would be inappropriate for an NZ leader to comment on US domestic affairs and she’s right and Todd like all world leaders including the PM dance around this question so it’s unfair for him to be judged to a higher standard than the pm on this question.

    Besides if Todd is to be judged a racist for his maga hat surely Jacinda is a racist for her close personal friendship with Danish PM from Labours sister party Mette Fredrickson, whose opinions on refugees and immigration and on LGBT and minority issues are arguably more deplorable than Trump’s but everyone was eating up their talko love fest in Facebook last month.

    We are a small trading nation and like the pm said “we should focus on our backyards” the last thing we need is other world leaders calling out our national shames of which there are many.

    • observer 20.1
      3 June 2020 at 5:40 pm

      Please read the comments and links provided. Your point has already been answered several times.

      Both Muller and Ardern were asked the same question. Nobody (reasonable) would expect him – or her – to say "Yes, Trump is a racist". But we could reasonably expect them to handle it much better than Muller did.

  21. Barfly 21
    3 June 2020 at 7:47 pm

    Yeah gotta say criticising the president of the USA doesn't come easy these days.

    I seem to remember Muldoon calling Jimmy Carter "just a failed peanut farmer" or something very close – different times I guess. Mind you if he were still alive I would imagine his opinion of Trump (which he would state) would be absolutely excoriating.

  22. TJ 22
    4 June 2020 at 7:28 am

    He, ultimately, will be able to make that call himself…

    That isn't the same as "Ultimately its up to Trump to decide if he’s a racist or not…" as stated in the tweet account. In desperation to attack Trump, whoever Bounder is, straw-manned their own argument.

    In NZ culture, what Muller said was, "In situations where powerful things occur, I would certainly be the man in overall control."

    He wasn't "lost for words", or underprepared. He's just another National Party Cyborg.

  23. NZJester 23
    4 June 2020 at 8:07 pm

    Most of the Terrorist attacks in the US have been done by White Nationalists. But Donald Trump has in the past posted tweets saying they are not all bad and excusing their protests and violent actions.

    If you have a peaceful protest by people of colour that the police try to break up, suddenly Donald Trump says the protestors are thugs and the police should take stronger action against them.

    This is a man who at campaign rallies has goaded on his supporters to attack people peacefully protesting against him.

    A lot of the people that have been attacking the Antifa people at the pipeline protests for instance are actually hired thugs, a lot are off-duty police officers being paid by the oil companies to be security or people that have failed tests to become police offices and joined private security companies instead.

    I see he is saying now he was not hiding in the bunker in the Whitehouse, it was just an inspection.

    There are photos of Trumps father in a Klu Klux Klan robe. His father was arrested at a protest set up by the Klu Klux Klan at one time, but he claims his father was never in the Klu Klux Klan. His father was fined a number of times for the way he tried to exclude Black tenants from renting his properties.
    The saying goes “The Apple does not fall far from the tree.”

Recent Comments

Recent Posts

  • Taking action on Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder
    Hundreds of New Zealand families affected by Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) will benefit from a new Government focus on prevention and treatment, says Health Minister Dr Shane Reti. “We know FASD is a leading cause of preventable intellectual and neurodevelopmental disability in New Zealand,” Dr Reti says.  “Every day, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    11 hours ago

  • New sports complex opens in Kaikohe
    Regional Development Minister Shane Jones today attended the official opening of Kaikohe’s new $14.7 million sports complex. “The completion of the Kaikohe Multi Sports Complex is a fantastic achievement for the Far North,” Mr Jones says. “This facility not only fulfils a long-held dream for local athletes, but also creates ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    13 hours ago

  • Diplomacy needed more than ever
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters’ engagements in TĂŒrkiye this week underlined the importance of diplomacy to meet growing global challenges.    “Returning to the Gallipoli Peninsula to represent New Zealand at Anzac commemorations was a sombre reminder of the critical importance of diplomacy for de-escalating conflicts and easing tensions,” Mr Peters ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    16 hours ago

  • Anzac Commemorative Address, Buttes New British Cemetery Belgium
    Ambassador Millar, Burgemeester, Vandepitte, Excellencies, military representatives, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen – good morning and welcome to this sacred Anzac Day dawn service.  It is an honour to be here on behalf of the Government and people of New Zealand at Buttes New British Cemetery, Polygon Wood – a deeply ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago

  • Anzac Commemorative Address – NZ National Service, Chunuk Bair
    Distinguished guests -   It is an honour to return once again to this site which, as the resting place for so many of our war-dead, has become a sacred place for generations of New Zealanders.   Our presence here and at the other special spaces of Gallipoli is made ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Anzac Commemorative Address – Dawn Service, Gallipoli, TĂŒrkiye
    Mai ia tawhiti pamamao, te moana nui a Kiwa, kua tae whakaiti mai matou, ki to koutou papa whenua. No koutou te tapuwae, no matou te tapuwae, kua honoa pumautia.   Ko nga toa kua hinga nei, o te Waipounamu, o te Ika a Maui, he okioki tahi me o ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • PM announces changes to portfolios
    Paul Goldsmith will take on responsibility for the Media and Communications portfolio, while Louise Upston will pick up the Disability Issues portfolio, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon announced today. “Our Government is relentlessly focused on getting New Zealand back on track. As issues change in prominence, I plan to adjust Ministerial ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • New catch limits for unique fishery areas
    Recreational catch limits will be reduced in areas of Fiordland and the Chatham Islands to help keep those fisheries healthy and sustainable, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. The lower recreational daily catch limits for a range of finfish and shellfish species caught in the Fiordland Marine Area and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • Minister welcomes hydrogen milestone
    Energy Minister Simeon Brown has welcomed an important milestone in New Zealand’s hydrogen future, with the opening of the country’s first network of hydrogen refuelling stations in Wiri. “I want to congratulate the team at Hiringa Energy and its partners K one W one (K1W1), Mitsui & Co New Zealand ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • Urgent changes to system through first RMA Amendment Bill
    The coalition Government is delivering on its commitment to improve resource management laws and give greater certainty to consent applicants, with a Bill to amend the Resource Management Act (RMA) expected to be introduced to Parliament next month. RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop has today outlined the first RMA Amendment ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • Overseas decommissioning models considered
    Overseas models for regulating the oil and gas sector, including their decommissioning regimes, are being carefully scrutinised as a potential template for New Zealand’s own sector, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. The Coalition Government is focused on rebuilding investor confidence in New Zealand’s energy sector as it looks to strengthen ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • Release of North Island Severe Weather Event Inquiry
    Emergency Management and Recovery Minister Mark Mitchell has today released the Report of the Government Inquiry into the response to the North Island Severe Weather Events. “The report shows that New Zealand’s emergency management system is not fit-for-purpose and there are some significant gaps we need to address,” Mr Mitchell ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • Justice Minister to attend Human Rights Council
    Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith is today travelling to Europe where he’ll update the United Nations Human Rights Council on the Government’s work to restore law and order.  “Attending the Universal Periodic Review in Geneva provides us with an opportunity to present New Zealand’s human rights progress, priorities, and challenges, while ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • Patterson reopens world’s largest wool scouring facility
    Associate Agriculture Minister, Mark Patterson, formally reopened the world’s largest wool processing facility today in Awatoto, Napier, following a $50 million rebuild and refurbishment project. “The reopening of this facility will significantly lift the economic opportunities available to New Zealand’s wool sector, which already accounts for 20 per cent of ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • Speech to the Southland Otago Regional Engineering Collective Summit, 18 April 2024
    Hon Andrew Bayly, Minister for Small Business and Manufacturing  At the Southland Otago Regional Engineering Collective (SOREC) Summit, 18 April, Dunedin    Ngā mihi nui, Ko Andrew Bayly aho, Ko Whanganui aho    Good Afternoon and thank you for inviting me to open your summit today.    I am delighted ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • Government to introduce revised Three Strikes law
    The Government is delivering on its commitment to bring back the Three Strikes legislation, Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee announced today. “Our Government is committed to restoring law and order and enforcing appropriate consequences on criminals. We are making it clear that repeat serious violent or sexual offending is not ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • New diplomatic appointments
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters has today announced four new diplomatic appointments for New Zealand’s overseas missions.   “Our diplomats have a vital role in maintaining and protecting New Zealand’s interests around the world,” Mr Peters says.    “I am pleased to announce the appointment of these senior diplomats from the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • Humanitarian support for Ethiopia and Somalia
    New Zealand is contributing NZ$7 million to support communities affected by severe food insecurity and other urgent humanitarian needs in Ethiopia and Somalia, Foreign Minister Rt Hon Winston Peters announced today.   “Over 21 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance across Ethiopia, with a further 6.9 million people ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • Arts Minister congratulates Mataaho Collective
    Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage Paul Goldsmith is congratulating Mataaho Collective for winning the Golden Lion for best participant in the main exhibition at the Venice Biennale. "Congratulations to the Mataaho Collective for winning one of the world's most prestigious art prizes at the Venice Biennale.  “It is good ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago

  • Supporting better financial outcomes for Kiwis
    The Government is reforming financial services to improve access to home loans and other lending, and strengthen customer protections, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly and Housing Minister Chris Bishop announced today. “Our coalition Government is committed to rebuilding the economy and making life simpler by cutting red tape. We are ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago

  • Trade relationship with China remains strong
    “China remains a strong commercial opportunity for Kiwi exporters as Chinese businesses and consumers continue to value our high-quality safe produce,” Trade and Agriculture Minister Todd McClay says.   Mr McClay has returned to New Zealand following visits to Beijing, Harbin and Shanghai where he met ministers, governors and mayors and engaged in trade and agricultural events with the New ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago

  • PM’s South East Asia mission does the business
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has completed a successful trip to Singapore, Thailand and the Philippines, deepening relationships and capitalising on opportunities. Mr Luxon was accompanied by a business delegation and says the choice of countries represents the priority the New Zealand Government places on South East Asia, and our relationships in ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • $41m to support clean energy in South East Asia
    New Zealand is demonstrating its commitment to reducing global greenhouse emissions, and supporting clean energy transition in South East Asia, through a contribution of NZ$41 million (US$25 million) in climate finance to the Asian Development Bank (ADB)-led Energy Transition Mechanism (ETM). Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Climate Change Minister Simon Watts announced ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Minister releases Fast-track stakeholder list
    The Government is today releasing a list of organisations who received letters about the Fast-track applications process, says RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop. “Recently Ministers and agencies have received a series of OIA requests for a list of organisations to whom I wrote with information on applying to have a ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Judicial appointments announced
    Attorney-General Judith Collins today announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister David Jonathan Boldt as a Judge of the High Court, and the Honourable Justice Matthew Palmer as a Judge of the Court of Appeal. Justice Boldt graduated with an LLB from Victoria University of Wellington in 1990, and also holds ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Education Minister heads to major teaching summit in Singapore
    Education Minister Erica Stanford will lead the New Zealand delegation at the 2024 International Summit on the Teaching Profession (ISTP) held in Singapore. The delegation includes representatives from the Post Primary Teachers’ Association (PPTA) Te Wehengarua and the New Zealand Educational Institute (NZEI) Te Riu Roa.  The summit is co-hosted ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Value of stopbank project proven during cyclone
    A stopbank upgrade project in Tairawhiti partly funded by the Government has increased flood resilience for around 7000ha of residential and horticultural land so far, Regional Development Minister Shane Jones says. Mr Jones today attended a dawn service in Gisborne to mark the end of the first stage of the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Anzac commemorations, TĂŒrkiye relationship focus of visit
    Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters will represent the Government at Anzac Day commemorations on the Gallipoli Peninsula next week and engage with senior representatives of the Turkish government in Istanbul.    “The Gallipoli campaign is a defining event in our history. It will be a privilege to share the occasion ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Minister to Europe for OECD meeting, Anzac Day
    Science, Innovation and Technology and Defence Minister Judith Collins will next week attend the OECD Science and Technology Ministerial conference in Paris and Anzac Day commemorations in Belgium. “Science, innovation and technology have a major role to play in rebuilding our economy and achieving better health, environmental and social outcomes ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Comprehensive Partnership the goal for NZ and the Philippines
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon held a bilateral meeting today with the President of the Philippines, Ferdinand Marcos Jr.  The Prime Minister was accompanied by MP Paulo Garcia, the first Filipino to be elected to a legislature outside the Philippines. During today’s meeting, Prime Minister Luxon and President Marcos Jr discussed opportunities to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Government commits $20m to Westport flood protection
    The Government has announced that $20 million in funding will be made available to Westport to fund much needed flood protection around the town. This measure will significantly improve the resilience of the community, says Local Government Minister Simeon Brown. “The Westport community has already been allocated almost $3 million ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Taupƍ takes pole position
    The Government is proud to support the first ever Repco Supercars Championship event in Taupƍ as up to 70,000 motorsport fans attend the Taupƍ International Motorsport Park this weekend, says Economic Development Minister Melissa Lee. “Anticipation for the ITM Taupƍ Super400 is huge, with tickets and accommodation selling out weeks ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Cost of living support for low-income homeowners
    Local Government Minister Simeon Brown has announced an increase to the Rates Rebate Scheme, putting money back into the pockets of low-income homeowners.  “The coalition Government is committed to bringing down the cost of living for New Zealanders. That includes targeted support for those Kiwis who are doing things tough, such ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Government backing mussel spat project
    The Coalition Government is investing in a project to boost survival rates of New Zealand mussels and grow the industry, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones has announced. “This project seeks to increase the resilience of our mussels and significantly boost the sector’s productivity,” Mr Jones says. “The project - ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Government focused on getting people into work
    Benefit figures released today underscore the importance of the Government’s plan to rebuild the economy and have 50,000 fewer people on Jobseeker Support, Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston says. “Benefit numbers are still significantly higher than when National was last in government, when there was about 70,000 fewer ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Clean energy key driver to reducing emissions
    The Government’s commitment to doubling New Zealand’s renewable energy capacity is backed by new data showing that clean energy has helped the country reach its lowest annual gross emissions since 1999, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says. New Zealand’s latest Greenhouse Gas Inventory (1990-2022) published today, shows gross emissions fell ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Earthquake-prone buildings review brought forward
    The Government is bringing the earthquake-prone building review forward, with work to start immediately, and extending the deadline for remediations by four years, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says. “Our Government is focused on rebuilding the economy. A key part of our plan is to cut red tape that ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Thailand and NZ to agree to Strategic Partnership
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and his Thai counterpart, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, have today agreed that New Zealand and the Kingdom of Thailand will upgrade the bilateral relationship to a Strategic Partnership by 2026. “New Zealand and Thailand have a lot to offer each other. We have a strong mutual desire to build ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Government consults on extending coastal permits for ports
    RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop and Transport Minister Simeon Brown have today announced the Coalition Government’s intention to extend port coastal permits for a further 20 years, providing port operators with certainty to continue their operations. “The introduction of the Resource Management Act in 1991 required ports to obtain coastal ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Inflation coming down, but more work to do
    Today’s announcement that inflation is down to 4 per cent is encouraging news for Kiwis, but there is more work to be done - underlining the importance of the Government’s plan to get the economy back on track, acting Finance Minister Chris Bishop says. “Inflation is now at 4 per ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

Page generated in The Standard by Wordpress at 2024-04-27T09:59:14+00:00